Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 81

Zhou Xuci arrived pushing a small cart filled with pastries, enough for everyone to have a share.

Xu Zhizhi, always striving for perfection, had taken on the immense task of the art gallery and was under great pressure. When immersed in painting, she would forget to eat or sleep.

She often forgot about her sensitive stomach.

Zhou Xuci would come at set times to feed Xu Zhizhi.

“Come down first and have something to eat,” Zhou Xuci said, looking at Xu Zhizhi, who was painting while sitting on a wooden ladder.

Her hands were stained with paint.

Xu Zhizhi put down her brush and climbed down the ladder.

Zhou Xuci held her steady, firmly grasping her hand.

“My hands are dirty, covered in paint, and with the hot weather, they’re sweaty and sticky,” Xu Zhizhi tried to free her hand from Zhou Xuci’s grip.

Zhou Xuci took out a wet wipe and cleaned the paint off her hands, saying softly, “An artist’s hands are never dirty.”

As he spoke, he kissed the back of her hand. “Zhizhi, you’re amazing.”

The massive three-month project was nearly complete.

Zhou Xuci had witnessed the birth of the art gallery firsthand, from nothing to the breathtaking sight it was now.

The 1,800-meter-long gallery, with one historically significant painting after another, used time as the horizontal axis to depict Jing University’s 120-year history through vibrant murals.

Walking through it, Zhou Xuci felt as if he had stepped into a river of history. He paused before each painting, encountering Jing University again and again through the lifelike scenes.

Only a portion of the paintings were directly painted by Xu Zhizhi, but she had retouched every one, adding the finishing touches that brought them to life.

Xu Zhizhi smiled, her eyes curving like crescent moons. “Zhou Xuci, you’re so good at praising people.”

Zhou Xuci pinched her cheek. “I’m not exaggerating. My baby is the best, bar none.”

For its 120th anniversary, Jing University had solicited designs for a commemorative badge from the entire student body.

Xu Zhizhi’s creation stood out from the rest, winning the best badge award and a 5,000-yuan prize.

The badge she designed would be distributed as a souvenir to alumni attending the anniversary celebration.

As Zhou Xuci had said, Xu Zhizhi was exceptional, always a standout in her field.

The murals for the art gallery were officially completed on June 15th. Professors from the Chinese Language and Literature department provided accompanying texts, which were then calligraphed by students majoring in calligraphy.

After three months of effort, the project was finally finished!

The professor in charge conducted the final inspection and was highly satisfied with the students’ work.

As the lead artist, Xu Zhizhi accompanied Professor Liu throughout the inspection.

Gazing at the exquisite murals, Professor Liu remarked emotionally, “Indeed, the younger generation has its own unique style and spirit.”

“The design concept is truly brilliant,” Professor Liu said softly. “As a longtime teacher at Jing University, having worked here for 28 years, walking through this art gallery feels like revisiting the first half of my life.”

“The most exquisite aspect of art is its ability to suddenly strike the softest part of one’s heart.” Professor Liu stood before the section marking the year 1997, her eyes slightly reddened. “When I first entered Jing University, I felt like I was still a young girl. Now, looking back, I’ve been teaching for nearly thirty years. Time flies so quickly.”

“That year, Hong Kong returned to the motherland. The entire campus was boiling. We cheered and shouted for the victory of our nation, embracing each other and shedding tears of joy to celebrate such a sacred moment.”

“The entire campus was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners for a full month. That was Jing University in 1997, through all its ups and downs, I’ve accompanied it all the way to the prosperous era we see today.”

“It’s truly wonderful. Looking at these murals, I feel as if I’ve grown young again.” Professor Liu gave Xu Zhizhi a gratified smile. “One cannot regain their youth, but there will always be those who are young.”

“Cherish the present moment.” Professor Liu patted Xu Zhizhi’s shoulder. “Zhizhi, it’s been many years since I’ve encountered a student like you, someone with such a distinct personal style and the willingness to endure hardship.”

Some students possess strong character, but their pride runs too deep. Excessive arrogance ultimately undermines their integrity.

Others work hard enough, yet they always seem to lack a certain talent. No matter how much effort they put in, it still feels just short of enough.

Professor Liu’s tone was full of encouragement. “You still need to refine your skills, but I believe that, given time, you will undoubtedly carve out a place for yourself in this field.”

Xu Zhizhi looked at Professor Liu, whose temples had already turned white, and felt deeply moved. “Thank you for your encouragement, Professor. I will do my utmost not to disappoint your expectations.”

Professor Liu continued walking forward, eventually stopping before the timeline marked 2023, observing the rapidly developing engineering disciplines.

“These days, technology is advancing at an incredible pace. Engineering has propelled human life into another dimension. Compared to the engineering fields, our arts disciplines don’t shine as brightly anymore.”

Professor Liu pointed to the mural depicting the Computer Science building. “Over the years, Peking University’s engineering programs have grown increasingly formidable, with geniuses emerging frequently. In recent times, the most dazzling has to be the School of Computer Science.”

Zhou Xuci from the School of Computer Science shone brilliantly, frequently gracing the cover of Jing University’s official website.

His research achievements couldn’t be fully listed even in three pages.

What was truly astonishing was that he was only a junior.

Xu Zhizhi smiled confidently and said earnestly, “But no matter how much technology advances, once people’s material needs are met, they will return to the pursuit of inner spiritual fulfillment. The School of Arts will not fade into obscurity.”

Professor Liu nodded in satisfaction. “Well said.”

Xu Zhizhi accompanied Professor Liu throughout the entire tour.

Professor Liu was deeply sentimental. Walking through Jing University’s history of trials and prosperity, she was moved to tears time and again.

After the inspection was completed, the art gallery was sealed off, awaiting the unveiling ceremony on the university’s anniversary day.

June 19th was stiflingly hot at Jing University. The sky felt like a lid on a steamer, trapping the entire campus in sweltering heat.

Xu Zhizhi and Cheng Xiaoxin were heading to the airport to pick someone up.

They were there to welcome Lu Huaibei and Sun Xiuya.

To facilitate interactions with alumni, the university had specially provided red tops printed with Jing University’s logo.

Xu Zhizhi and Cheng Xiaoxin arrived early at the airport, holding up signs as they waited for the alumni to arrive.

Before long, Sun Xiuya’s wheelchair came into Xu Zhizhi’s line of sight.

Sun Xiuya was still dressed in a qipao, though she had switched to a lighter color this time. The gown was adorned with a wash-ink painting, exuding a classical beauty.

Her demeanor and actions were graceful.

Her aura was equally refined.

However, the look Sun Xiuya gave Xu Zhizhi was lifeless and carried a sharp, fierce intensity.

Cheng Xiaoxin wanted to step in front of Xu Zhizhi, but Xu Zhizhi stopped her.

“Xinxin, let me handle this,” Xu Zhizhi said.

Cheng Xiaoxin looked at her with concern.

Xu Zhizhi said confidently, “I can do it.”

Cheng Xiaoxin replied, “Alright.”

In the past, Xu Zhizhi would have been afraid of such a gaze, but this time, she met Sun Xiuya’s sinister stare with a bright smile.

Xu Zhizhi walked over calmly and greeted, “Aunt Sun, it’s been a long time.”

Sun Xiuya looked at the poised and graceful Xu Zhizhi, her lips twitching as she revealed a cold smirk. “Xu Zhizhi, you don’t actually want to see me, do you?”

Xu Zhizhi moved behind Sun Xiuya, her hands gripping the handles of the wheelchair, and replied bluntly, “That’s right.”

For the first time, she showed Sun Xiuya absolute disgust.

Without fear.

…